A
mere 62 days after the first International Federation personnel
stepped off the boat in the capital Male and just 66 days after
tsunami lashed the Maldives, the Federation has signed a legal
status agreement with the Government.
‘Legal Status Agreement’ may sound dry, but it is
a vital and vibrant document which will significantly boost
the Red Cross and Red Crescent’s ability to assist the
most vulnerable.
It smoothes the processes involved in logistics, personnel movement,
and tax liability among others.
The signing ceremony was held at the Maldives Ministry of Foreign
Affairs on Tuesday 1 March in Male. The head of the Federation’s
delegation, Jerry Talbot, signed the historic document along
with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussain Shihab.
Mr Shihab welcomed the formalising of the relationship between
the Maldives Government and the International Federation, which
builds on the close bonds forged during the relief operation.
“We have been cooperating since the tsunami and we really
appreciate the work you have already done and we look forward
to working with you in the future,” said the Minister.
Jerry Talbot was delighted to gain the legal status agreement
so promptly but stressed that the Maldives government had done
an extraordinary job providing support and assistance to the
Federation in its activities to date.
He said the agreement helps pave the way for major operations
ahead in the rehabilitation phase. One of the largest and most
pressing is the housing rebuilding project planned by the Red
Cross/Red Crescent, which involves the construction of 1,300
new dwellings.
“It looks like the Federation may be spending approximately
US$ 70 million (CHF 81.6 million) this year alone on projects
in the Maldives, with much of that devoted to housing. Gaining
a legal status agreement means we can enter into the necessary
contracts involved in the housing project,” Talbot explained.
“I have been involved in several legal status agreements
before and based on that previous experience, the speed with
which the Government of Maldives has agreed to this one is highly
commendable,” he said.
The Federation is forging ahead with rehabilitation plans in
the Maldives, with water and sanitation, new housing, restoring
livelihoods, and environment and waste management the priorities.
Two thirds of the Maldives’ population of 300,000 were
affected by the tsunami, with 100,000 severely affected. This
latest development regarding the legal status agreement is a
welcome boost to getting the help to where it’s needed.
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The
historic moment as the head of the Federation's delegation,
Jerry Talbot (left) and Maldives Deputy Foreign Minister,
Hussain Shihab, sign the legal status agreement. (p12655)
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One
of the devastated islands in the Maldives, where reconstruction
and repairs are urgently needed(p12654)
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